2020 Constitution Day Quiz--Elections Edition
Prepared by Scott LaDeur, PhD
Political Science Professor
North Central Michigan College
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2020 is a presidential election year which means it is a wonderful time to learn more about how the U.S. Constitution shapes our electoral process.  The next 10 questions will focus on this interaction with the hopes of giving you some important information as we approach this year's election.  Enjoy!
Question #1:  As we all know, presidential candidates win office by claiming a majority, or 270, of the 538 votes in the Electoral College.  How are states awarded Electoral College Votes? *
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Question #2:  Since 538 is an even number, it is possible that rival presidential candidates will tie at 269-269.  In that instance, what is the constitutional procedure for selecting a winning candidate? *
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Question #3:  2016 was an example of an Electoral College "misfire" since the winner of the Electoral College vote was not also the plurality winner of the popular vote.  Including 2016, how many Electoral College "misfires" have occurred in American history? *
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Question #4:  Every four years we hear a lot about "swing states" mattering a great deal in the Electoral College.  The small number of swing states indicates that there is a great deal of stability in how states tend to vote in the Electoral College.  How many states have supported the nominee of the same political party since 2000? *
1 point
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Question #5:  Which state has voted with the winning presidential candidate in every election since 1964? *
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Question #6:  For many reasons, third parties tend to do poorly in U.S. presidential elections.  Who was the last third party candidate to win Electoral College votes in a presidential election? *
1 point
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Question #7:  In addition to being a presidential election year, 2020 is also a census year.  The Constitution requires a population enumeration every 10 years.  Besides being a rich source of statistical data and helping to determine federal funding formulas, how is the census linked to elections in the United States? *
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Question #8:  According to the Constitution's "Time, Place and Manner" clause, states have the right to run elections.  This year there has been attention focused on "voting by mail".  How many states conduct their elections entirely through the mail? *
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Question #9:  The U.S. Constitution requires that candidates be at least 35 years old and be a "natural born citizen".  The Constitution does not define what it means by "natural born citizen".  Over the last 200 years, the federal courts have interpreted it to mean that "natural born" citizenship can be acquired in two ways.  Which of the following are the two ways identified by the courts?  CHECK ALL THAT APPLY! *
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Question #10: The Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution required that presidents and vice-presidents be elected as a team.  Prior to the Twelfth Amendment, how were vice presidents selected?
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